Victoria BC, Canada a Great Vacation Spot

Good Weather and Easy to get around
Victoria's climate is moderate all year round. It gets cold in the winter but not below freezing. It rains in the winter but not for days on end, it usually breaks open in the afternoon and the sun pokes its head out. The summer isn't hot either, it's moderate, and, no matter what time of year you visit, you need to layer. It's cool in the mornings and evenings, and warms right up during the day, all year round.
Victoria is easy to get around in. The Downtown and Inner Harbor area is all within an easy walk of each other. Anywhere else you may need to go there is most likely a bus that can get you there. The BC Transit system in Victoria is very good, $2.25 for a fare that lasts approximately 2 hours, and goes pretty much everywhere in and out of the city limits to the neighboring communities. Victoria is the only city I've ever been to where all the passengers say thank you and good bye to the bus drivers, who usually welcome everyone onto the bus with a smile and hello.

fun for all ages

Victoria's climate is moderate all year round. It gets cold in the winter but not below freezing. It rains in the winter but not for days on end, it usually breaks open in the afternoon and the sun pokes its head out. The summer isn't hot either, it's moderate, and, no matter what time of year you visit, you need to layer. It's cool in the mornings and evenings, and warms right up during the day, all year round.
Victoria is easy to get around in. The Downtown and Inner Harbor area is all within an easy walk of each other. Anywhere else you may need to go there is most likely a bus that can get you there. The BC Transit system in Victoria is very good, $2.25 for a fare that lasts approximately 2 hours, and goes pretty much everywhere in and out of the city limits to the neighboring communities. Victoria is the only city I've ever been to where all the passengers say thank you and good bye to the bus drivers, who usually welcome everyone onto the bus with a smile and hello.

The Experience

There are a few must does while in Victoria. While down in the Inner Harbor take a whale watching tour: if you haven't seen a whale before and you are in Victoria at the right time of year, it's a pretty incredible, once in a lifetime experience. We did and it was spectacular. Take the Water Ferry ride from the wharf in the Inner Harbor. There are many destination choices including fisherman's wharf; you get the experience of seeing the city from the water on the way to getting a bite to eat right on the docks ... with the seals :O).

the Empress overlooks the Inner Harbor

A tour of the Legislative Assembly is free and quite breathtaking. The BC Museum is across the street and well worth the experience, as is the IMAX theater located there. The Bug Zoo, Miniature World and Maritime Museum are also fun and favorites with families. Then there's Chinatown, the third largest one in North America, it's authentic and a fun zone to explore.

The Empress Hotel is open to walk through, and you can have "high tea" there, just like in Britain but it's pricey. I recommend a tea room on Oak Bay Ave. called 'The White Heather'. They serve a high tea that is just as fancy and delicate as the Empress, and, not only are the prices better, all of the food is outstanding and they serve more than just high tea: the soups, sandwiches, crepes, and desserts are all made fresh daily by specialty chefs, so there are options for everyone in a group, in the Empress Tea Room they only serve high tea. White Heather's tea selection is amazing and the is service warm and friendly. You'll need a reservation to get in. (and it's on the bus route)

Explore and Relax

kayak from the Inner Harbor

People still say hello, smile and nod on the streets of Victoria. There are lots of good coffee shops, pubs, places to eat, great shopping, walking and bike paths for miles all over Victoria including along the ocean side. Add in lots of sunshine and things to do and you've got Victoria, a great place to visit and explore, and one of the best cities in Canada to do it in.
And of course Butchart Gardens is a must see. People from all over the world visit Victoria, specifically to go these gardens that are constantly changing, so that no matter how many times you go back to visit it's never the same.

eye say

Questions and comments are welcome.